EP1225470B1 - Image display apparatus and system - Google Patents
Image display apparatus and system Download PDFInfo
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- EP1225470B1 EP1225470B1 EP01310848A EP01310848A EP1225470B1 EP 1225470 B1 EP1225470 B1 EP 1225470B1 EP 01310848 A EP01310848 A EP 01310848A EP 01310848 A EP01310848 A EP 01310848A EP 1225470 B1 EP1225470 B1 EP 1225470B1
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- Prior art keywords
- scanning
- reflecting
- scanning unit
- optical
- optical element
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/017—Head mounted
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/017—Head mounted
- G02B27/0172—Head mounted characterised by optical features
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- the present invention relates to an image display apparatus for displaying an image formed by scanning a beam from a light source and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to an image display apparatus suitable for scanning a beam by driving a reflecting surface using mechanical resonance.
- Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,356,181 .
- a beam from a light source 300 is modulated by an optical modulator 301, enters horizontal and vertical optical deflectors 304 and 305 via optical systems 302 and 303, and reaches an eye 310 via an eyepiece optical system 306 which constitutes a telescope system.
- the optical deflectors 304 and 305 deflect light incident on the eye 310 and scans an image formed on the retina. This allows the observer to observe a two-dimensional image.
- Fig. 10 shows the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,369,415 .
- a two-dimensionally scanned beam from a light source 401 scans an eye (retina) 410 via a planar optical system 402.
- the beam to be scanned is sequentially reflected at a plurality of planar reflecting points within the planar optical system 402, and its optical path is changed toward the eye by a diffraction optical system 403.
- the diffracted beam directly scans the retina 410 to enable observing an image.
- Fig. 11 shows the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,467,104 .
- red, green, and blue light sources 501, 502, and 503 are modulated by light source drivers 504, 505, and 506, and beams from these light sources are combined by a color combining means 507.
- the combined beam from the light sources passes through the pupil of an eye 510 via an optical system interposed between the color combining means 507 and the eye 510, and is guided on the retina.
- Vertical and horizontal scanning means 508 and 509 are arranged between the eye and the light sources via an optical system, and scan the beam on the retina.
- Figs. 12A and 12B show the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,874,208 .
- a beam from a light source is deflected by a deflection means 602 comprising a polygon mirror, and enters an eye 610 via optical systems 601b and 601c.
- Fig. 12A shows an arrangement on the optical path from the light source to the eye.
- Beams from light sources 603, 604, and 605 driven by a data processing and drive signal 620 enter an optical fiber 618 via collimator lenses 606, color combining systems 607, and a lens 609. After passing through the optical fiber 618, the beam further passes through a wavefront curvature modulator 630 and beam deflector 640 via a lens 619, and reaches the eye 610.
- These conventional image display optical systems display a two-dimensional image to the observer by forming light from a light source into an image on the retina serving as an image plane and scanning the image point by a scanning means inserted in the optical path.
- An apparatus for displaying a two-dimensional image to the observer is, e.g., a liquid crystal panel which enlarges and displays a two-dimensional image as a virtual image via an optical system.
- this arrangement requires a larger number of pixels of the image display element.
- a small-size image display element with many pixels is high in cost, increasing the cost of the whole apparatus.
- the image display apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,369,415 has a relatively simpler arrangement using a flat optical system.
- light is diffracted to the observer's eye by only the diffraction optical element in front of the eye, so aberration may become difficult to correct for high image quality.
- the field angle is difficult to increase.
- Japanese Patent No. 2,874,208 adopts a polygon mirror as a deflection (scanning) means, and the deflection means and whole apparatus become bulky.
- the image display apparatus considered herein is an apparatus of the type such as disclosed by United States Patent US-A-6,151,167 by Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. JP-A-2000-187177 that comprises a scanning unit for scanning a beam by driving a reflecting surface or surfaces for reflecting a beam from a light source, an optical element having an incident surface which the reflected beam from the scanning unit enters, at least one inner reflecting surface which has a curved surface and reflects the beam coming from the incident surface, and an exit surface from which the beam reflected by the inner reflecting surface emerges and is transmitted.
- the image display apparatus of the present invention and also JP-A-2000-187177 also include a reflecting element that is arranged for reflecting the beam transmitted from the exit surface of the optical element and for guiding the beam to an observer's eye.
- the image display apparatus of the present invention can easily increase the scanning speed and is suitable for displaying a fine image.
- optical element which at least one inner reflecting surface enables deflecting the optical path and easily downsizing the apparatus. Since a beam emitted by the optical element is guided to the eyeball via the reflecting element, the degree of freedom for the layout of the optical system can be increased.
- the image display apparatus of the present invention includes a spectacles type mount member which can be mounted on an observer's head and having said scanning unit, said optical element, and said reflecting element, disposed thereon
- the image display apparatus in accordance with the present invention is characterised in that said scanning unit, and said optical element are disposed as a unit at a side of said spectacles type mount member at a position corresponding to the temple of the mount member, and with said reflecting element disposed at the front of said spectacles type mount member to be held in front of the observer's eye.
- Embodiments of the present invention can implement a scanning image display apparatus which can be used comfortably as if the observer wore glasses.
- the inner reflecting surface of the optical element is formed into a curved surface.
- This structure can satisfactorily correct aberrations, such as decentering aberration, which readily occur owing to an optical layout capable of guiding a beam from the side of the head to the eyeball via the reflecting element in front of the eye. Accordingly, a high-quality image can be displayed.
- the scanning unit is a device which utilizes an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technique, is manufactured by a semiconductor process, and has a reflecting surface driven by mechanical resonance.
- MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical System
- the scanning unit itself can be downsized, scanning can be done at a very high speed, and a smaller-size image display apparatus capable of displaying a fine image can be implemented.
- the beam scanning angle of the scanning can be enlarged by the optical system made up of the optical element and the reflecting element, and an image larger than the projection of the scanning solid angle of the scanning unit can be observed.
- Fig. 1 shows the schematic arrangement of an optical system in an image display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 3 is a view showing the optical path of the optical system.
- a light guide unit 7 is made up of a collimator element 7a for (substantially) collimating a beam emitted by the light-emitting member 6, and a light guide prism 7b for guiding the beam emerging from the collimator element 7a to a scanning element 1 (to be described later) by inner reflection.
- the light-emitting member 6 and light guide unit 7 constitute a light source part.
- the scanning element (scanning unit) 1 is a device manufactured by a semiconductor process. This can realize a smaller size than the use of a polygon mirror or the like.
- the scanning element 1 is connected to a scanning control circuit 8.
- a planar mirror 1a of the scanning element 1 is swung and driven by an electrical signal from the scanning control circuit 8 at a high speed and a large angle by mechanical resonance.
- a swingably supported movable plate is formed on a semiconductor substrate (not shown), and the planar mirror 1a is attached to the movable plate.
- a permanent magnet is attached to the substrate, and a coil, to the movable plate.
- the movable plate i.e., planar mirror 1a
- the movable plate can be swung and driven by the operation of a magnetic field generated by controlling energization to the coil.
- the movable plate is changed to a mechanically resonant state, and the planar mirror 1a can be swung and driven at a high speed and a large angle.
- the planar mirror 1a is swingable in two directions about horizontal and vertical scanning axes 12a and 12b perpendicular to each other. For example, when the planar mirror 1a swings about the axis 12a, the reflected beam of a beam 11 incident on the planar mirror 1a is deflected into beams 11a, 11b, and 11c in accordance with the swing angle. Similarly, when the planar mirror 1a swings about the axis 12b, the reflected beam is deflected in a direction perpendicular to the deflection direction of the reflected beams 11a, 11b, and 11c. That is, a beam can be two-dimensionally deflected by swing of the planar mirror 1a.
- a display optical system 2 is comprised of a prism-shaped optical element 2a and reflecting element 2b. As shown in detail in Fig. 3 , the optical element 2a has an incident surface 201, an exit surface 206, and four inner reflecting surfaces 202 to 205.
- optical element 2a collimator element 7a
- light guide prism 7b may be constituted as an integral element. It is noted that the optical system exemplified in Fig. 3 is constructed such that the inner reflecting surfaces are made up of concave surfaces to integrally constitute the collimator element 7a and the light guide prism 7b so as to construct the light guide unit 7 as a single element.
- a beam reflected by the planar mirror 1a enters the optical element 2a via the incident surface 201.
- the reflecting element 2b reflects the beam emerging from the optical element 2a and guides it to the observer's eye.
- all the building components (light-emitting member 6 to reflecting element 2b) of the above-described optical system are held by a mount member which can be mounted on the observer's head, like glasses.
- the remaining building components (light-emitting member 6 to optical element 2a) are disposed as a unit on the side of the observer's head.
- the reflecting element 2b is held at a position of the mount member that corresponds to a portion where the lenses of glasses are held, whereas the light-emitting member 6 to optical element 2a are held at a position corresponding to the temple of the mount member.
- a beam emitted by the light-emitting member 6 is substantially collimated by the internal reflecting surface of the light guide unit 7.
- the beam emerging from the light guide unit is two-dimensionally scanned by the scanning element 1, passes through the incident surface 201 of the optical element 2a, and enters the optical element 2a.
- the beam incident on the optical element 2a is sequentially reflected by the inner reflecting surfaces 202, 203, 204, and 205, and emerges from the exit surface 206.
- the beam emerging from the optical element 2a is reflected by the reflecting element 2b to reach the observer's eye 3.
- the beam incident on the observer's eye 3 forms an image on a retina 4.
- the light source control circuit 9 and scanning control circuit 8 are connected to an image formation control circuit 10 for receiving a video signal from an image information supply apparatus (not shown) such as a television, videocassette recorder, DVD player, or computer.
- the image formation control circuit 10 controls the light source control circuit 9 and scanning control circuit 8 (i.e., emission of the light-emitting member 6 and energization to the optical scanning element 1) so as to synchronize these circuits in correspondence with a supplied video signal.
- the image display apparatus of this embodiment and the above image information supply apparatus constitute an image display system.
- Scanning of the imaging point is executed in synchronism with control of the emission intensity of the light-emitting member 6 that corresponds to a supplied video signal. Accordingly, an image corresponding to the video signal is formed on the observer's retina 4.
- the display optical system made up of the optical element 2a and reflecting element 2b increases the beam scanning angle of the scanning element 1. This enables observing an image having a field angle larger than the scanning angle of the scanning element 1 (planar mirror 1a).
- this embodiment employs the scanning element 1 whose reflecting surface reciprocates by mechanical resonance, and can downsize the scanning means. Further, the overall apparatus can be downsized because the optical path is deflected a plurality of number of times by the planar mirror 1a of the scanning element 1 and the inner reflecting surfaces of the optical element 2a.
- the horizontal and vertical scanning frequencies are greatly different from each other.
- at least a side which requires a higher scanning speed is driven by mechanical resonance.
- the reflecting element 2b is tilted from the optical axis of the eye 3 in order to guide a beam traveling from the side of the eye 3 to the eye 3.
- This readily generates decentering aberration in the reflecting element 2b.
- aberrations such as decentering aberration can be satisfactorily corrected by shaping any one of the inner reflecting surfaces 202 to 205 of the optical element 2a into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces), and shaping the reflecting surface of the reflecting element 2b into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces).
- the light-emitting member 6 and scanning element 1 may be provided on a single substrate, and the elements 7a and 7b of the light guide unit 7 and the optical element 2a may be constituted as an integral optical element unit.
- the optical element unit can be so assembled as to cover the substrate.
- This embodiment has exemplified one light-emitting member 6 (one color).
- light-emitting members 6r, 6b, and 6g for emitting beams of three, red, blue, and green colors are arranged. Beams from the light-emitting members 6r, 6b, and 6g are combined by a color combining element 7c such as a dichroic prism, and guided to the scanning element 1 and display optical system 2. In this case, a color image can be obtained.
- the arrangement of the scanning element 1 described in the first embodiment is merely an example, and another arrangement can be adopted as far as the optical scanning element 1 can be manufactured by a semiconductor process.
- Fig. 5 shows the schematic arrangement of an optical system in an image display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 7 is a view showing the optical path of the optical system.
- emission of a light-emitting member 6 is controlled by a light source control circuit 9.
- a light guide unit 7 (substantially) collimating a beam emitted by the light-emitting member 6, and guides the beam to the first scanning element (to be described later).
- the light-emitting member 6 and light guide unit 7 constitute a light source part.
- a scanning unit 21 is a device manufactured by a semiconductor process. This can realize a smaller size than the use of a polygon mirror or the like.
- the scanning unit 21 is made up of a first scanning element having a planar mirror 21a swingable about the horizontal scanning axis, and a second scanning element having a planar mirror 21b swingable about the vertical scanning axis.
- planar mirrors 21a and 21b of the scanning elements are connected to a scanning control circuit 8.
- the planar mirrors 21a and 21b of the scanning elements are swung and driven by an electrical signal from the scanning control circuit 8. Since the planar mirror 21a particularly requires high-speed driving, mechanical resonance is used.
- a swingably supported movable plate is formed on a semiconductor substrate (not shown), and the planar mirror 21a is attached to the movable plate.
- a permanent magnet is attached to the substrate, and a coil, to the movable plate.
- the movable plate i.e., planar mirror 21a
- the movable plate is swung and driven by the operation of a magnetic field generated by controlling energization to the coil.
- the movable plate is changed to a mechanically resonant state, and the planar mirror 21a can be swung and driven at a high speed and a large angle.
- the planar mirror 21a is swingable about a horizontal scanning axis 22a.
- the reflected beam of a beam 11 incident on the planar mirror 21a is deflected into beams 11a, 11b, and 11c in accordance with the swing angle.
- the beams 11a, 11b, and 11c enter an intermediate element 2c interposed between the first and second scanning elements.
- the beams 11a, 11b, and 11c are reflected by the inner reflecting surface of the intermediate element 2c, and guided to the second scanning element.
- a swingably supported movable plate is formed on a semiconductor substrate (not shown), and the planar mirror 21b is attached to the movable plate.
- a permanent magnet is attached to the substrate, and a coil, to the movable plate.
- the movable plate i.e., planar mirror 21b
- the movable plate is swung and driven by the operation of a magnetic field generated by controlling energization to the coil.
- the movable plate is changed to a mechanically resonant state, and the planar mirror 21b can be swung and driven at a high speed and a large angle.
- the planar mirror 21b is swingable about a vertical scanning axis 22b.
- the reflected beam of a beam which enters the planar mirror 21b from the intermediate element 2c is deflected into beams 11a', 11b', and 11c' in accordance with the swing angle.
- a beam can be two-dimensionally deflected by swing of the planar mirrors 21a and 21b in the first and second scanning elements having this arrangement.
- a display optical system 2 comprises the prism-shaped intermediate element 2c, a prism-shaped optical element 2a, and a reflecting element 2b.
- the intermediate element 2c has an incident surface, exit surface, and inner reflecting surface 207.
- the optical element 2a has an incident surface 208, an exit surface 213, and four inner reflecting surfaces 209 to 212.
- optical element 2a the elements of the light guide unit 7, and the intermediate element 2c may be constituted as an integral element.
- a beam reflected by the planar mirror 21a enters the optical element 2a via the incident surface 208.
- the reflecting element 2b has a concave surface facing the observer's eye in order to reflect the beam emerging from the optical element 2a and guide it to the observer's eye.
- all the building components (light-emitting member 6 to reflecting element 2b) of the above-described optical system are held by a mount member which can be mounted on the observer's head, like glasses.
- the remaining building components (light-emitting member 6 to optical element 2a) are disposed as a unit on the side of the observer's head.
- the reflecting element 2b is held at a position of the mount member that corresponds to a portion where the lenses of glasses are held, whereas the light-emitting member 6 to optical element 2a are held at a position.
- the temple of the mount member Corresponding to the temple of the mount member.
- a beam emitted by the light-emitting member 6 is substantially collimated by the light guide unit 7, and enters the planar mirror 21a of the first scanning element where the beam is horizontally deflected to reach the intermediate element 2c.
- the beam incident on the intermediate element 2c is reflected by the inner reflecting surface 207, and emerges to the second scanning element.
- the beam enters the planar mirror 21b of the second scanning element where the beam is vertically deflected to reach the optical element 2a via the incident surface 208 of the optical element 2a.
- the beam incident on the optical element 2a is sequentially reflected by the inner reflecting surfaces 209, 210, 211, and 212, and emerges from the exit surface 213.
- the beam emerging from the optical element 2a is reflected by the reflecting element 2b to reach the observer's eye 3.
- the beam incident on the observer's eye 3 forms an image on the retina 4.
- the light source control circuit 9 and scanning control circuit 8 are connected to an image formation control circuit 10 for receiving a video signal from an image information supply apparatus (not shown) such as a television, videocassette recorder, DVD player, or computer.
- the image formation control circuit 10 controls the light source control circuit 9 and scanning control circuit 8 (i.e., emission of the light-emitting member 6 and energization to the first and second scanning elements) so as to synchronize these circuits in correspondence with a supplied video signal.
- the image display apparatus of this embodiment and the above image information supply apparatus constitute an image display system.
- Scanning of the imaging point is executed in synchronism with control of the emission intensity of the light-emitting member 6 that corresponds to a supplied video signal. Accordingly, an image corresponding to the video signal is formed on the observer's retina 4.
- the display optical system made up of the optical element 2a and reflecting element 2b increases the beam scanning angles of the first and second scanning elements. This enables observing an image having a field angle larger than the scanning angles of the first and second scanning elements (planar mirrors 21a and 21b).
- the first and second scanning elements are scanning unit manufactured by a semiconductor process, so that the scanning unit can be downsized.
- the mirror is effectively vibrated by mechanical resonance to a side which requires higher-speed scanning.
- the overall apparatus can be downsized because the optical path is deflected a plurality of number of times by the planar mirrors 21a and 21b of the two scanning elements and the inner reflecting surfaces of the optical element 2a.
- the reflecting element 2b is tilted from the optical axis of the eye 3 in order to guide a beam traveling from the side of the eye 3 to the eye 3.
- This readily generates decentering aberration in the reflecting element 2b.
- aberrations such as decentering aberration can be satisfactorily corrected by shaping any one of the inner reflecting surfaces 209 to 212 of the optical element 2a into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces), and shaping the reflecting surface of the reflecting element 2b into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces).
- the reflecting element 2b has a concave surface facing the observer's eye, but the same effects can also be attained by, e.g., a reflecting hologram
- the light-emitting member 6 and the first and second scanning elements may be provided on a single substrate, and the elements of the light guide unit 7, the optical element 2a, and the intermediate element 2c may be constituted as an integral optical element unit.
- the optical element unit can be so assembled as to cover the substrate.
- This embodiment has exemplified one light-emitting member 6 (one color).
- light-emitting members 6r, 6b, and 6g for emitting beams of three, red, blue, and green colors are arranged. Beams from the light-emitting members 6r, 6b, and 6g are combined by a color combining element 7c such as a dichroic prism, and guided to the first and second scanning elements and the display optical system 2. In this case, a color image can be obtained.
- first and second scanning elements described in the second embodiment are merely an example, and another arrangement can be adopted as far as the first and second scanning elements can be manufactured by a semiconductor process.
- a beam emitted by the light source unit is scanned by the scanning unit.
- These embodiments can provide an image display apparatus which can easily increase the scanning speed and is suitable for displaying a fine image.
- the use of the optical element with at least one inner reflecting surface enables deflecting the optical path and easily downsizing the apparatus. Since a beam emitted by the optical element is guided to the eyeball via the reflecting element, the degree of freedom for the layout of the optical system can be increased.
- the light source unit, scanning unit, and optical element can be arranged on the side of the head with respect to the reflecting element positioned in front of the observer's eye so as to prevent the observer from feeling uncomfortable.
- the embodiments can implement a scanning image display apparatus which can be used comfortably as if the observer wore glasses.
- the inner reflecting surface of the optical element is formed into a curved surface.
- This structure can satisfactorily correct aberrations such as decentering aberration which readily occur owing to an optical layout capable of guiding a beam from the side of the head to the eyeball via the reflecting element in front of the eye. Accordingly, a high-quality image can be displayed.
- the scanning unit is a device which is manufactured by a semiconductor process and has a reflecting surface driven by mechanical resonance.
- the optical scanning unit itself can be downsized, scanning can be done at a very high speed, and a smaller-size image display apparatus capable of displaying a fine image can be implemented.
- the beam scanning angle of the scanning unit is enlarged by an optical system made up of an optical element and reflecting element, an image display apparatus capable of observing an image larger than the scanning angle of the scanning unit can be implemented.
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Description
- The present invention relates to an image display apparatus for displaying an image formed by scanning a beam from a light source and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to an image display apparatus suitable for scanning a beam by driving a reflecting surface using mechanical resonance.
- Various proposals including
U.S. Patent Nos. 5,356,181 ,5,369,415 , and5,467,104 , andJapanese Patent No. 2,874,208 -
Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed inU.S. Patent No. 5,356,181 . In this image display optical system, a beam from alight source 300 is modulated by anoptical modulator 301, enters horizontal and verticaloptical deflectors optical systems eye 310 via an eyepieceoptical system 306 which constitutes a telescope system. Theoptical deflectors eye 310 and scans an image formed on the retina. This allows the observer to observe a two-dimensional image. -
Fig. 10 shows the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed inU.S. Patent No. 5,369,415 . In this image display optical system, a two-dimensionally scanned beam from alight source 401 scans an eye (retina) 410 via a planaroptical system 402. The beam to be scanned is sequentially reflected at a plurality of planar reflecting points within the planaroptical system 402, and its optical path is changed toward the eye by a diffractionoptical system 403. With this arrangement, the diffracted beam directly scans theretina 410 to enable observing an image. -
Fig. 11 shows the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed inU.S. Patent No. 5,467,104 . In this image display optical system, red, green, andblue light sources light source drivers means 507. The combined beam from the light sources passes through the pupil of aneye 510 via an optical system interposed between the color combiningmeans 507 and theeye 510, and is guided on the retina. Vertical and horizontal scanning means 508 and 509 are arranged between the eye and the light sources via an optical system, and scan the beam on the retina. -
Figs. 12A and 12B show the arrangement of an image display optical system disclosed inJapanese Patent No. 2,874,208 Fig. 12B , a beam from a light source is deflected by a deflection means 602 comprising a polygon mirror, and enters aneye 610 viaoptical systems Fig. 12A shows an arrangement on the optical path from the light source to the eye. Beams fromlight sources drive signal 620 enter anoptical fiber 618 viacollimator lenses 606,color combining systems 607, and alens 609. After passing through theoptical fiber 618, the beam further passes through awavefront curvature modulator 630 andbeam deflector 640 via alens 619, and reaches theeye 610. - These conventional image display optical systems display a two-dimensional image to the observer by forming light from a light source into an image on the retina serving as an image plane and scanning the image point by a scanning means inserted in the optical path.
- An apparatus for displaying a two-dimensional image to the observer is, e.g., a liquid crystal panel which enlarges and displays a two-dimensional image as a virtual image via an optical system. To display a finer image, this arrangement requires a larger number of pixels of the image display element. However, a small-size image display element with many pixels is high in cost, increasing the cost of the whole apparatus.
- Of the scanning image display apparatuses described above, those disclosed in
U.S. Patent Nos. 5,356,181 and5,467,104 andJapanese Patent No. 2,874,208 - The image display apparatus disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 5,369,415 has a relatively simpler arrangement using a flat optical system. However, light is diffracted to the observer's eye by only the diffraction optical element in front of the eye, so aberration may become difficult to correct for high image quality. Thus, the field angle is difficult to increase. -
Japanese Patent No. 2,874,208 - It is here sought to provide a small-size, low-cost scanning image display apparatus with a simple arrangement that realises high-speed beam scan.
- The image display apparatus considered herein is an apparatus of the type such as disclosed by
United States Patent US-A-6,151,167 byJapanese Laid Open Patent Application No. JP-A-2000-187177 - The image display apparatus of the present invention and also
JP-A-2000-187177 US-B-6 222 676 ) also include a reflecting element that is arranged for reflecting the beam transmitted from the exit surface of the optical element and for guiding the beam to an observer's eye. - This is in contrast to
US-A-6,151,167 in which the beam is internally reflected between the curved surfaces of the optical element and transmitted directly to the observer's eye from the front surface of the optical element which is both the incident surface and the exit surface thereof, placed in front of the eye. - - Since a beam emitted by the light source unit is scanned by the scanning unit, the image display apparatus of the present invention can easily increase the scanning speed and is suitable for displaying a fine image.
- The use of the optical element which at least one inner reflecting surface enables deflecting the optical path and easily downsizing the apparatus. Since a beam emitted by the optical element is guided to the eyeball via the reflecting element, the degree of freedom for the layout of the optical system can be increased.
- The image display apparatus of the present invention, and also
JP-A-2000-187177 US-B-6 222 676 ), includes a spectacles type mount member which can be mounted on an observer's head and having said scanning unit, said optical element, and said reflecting element, disposed thereon - The image display apparatus in accordance with the present invention is characterised in that said scanning unit, and said optical element are disposed as a unit at a side of said spectacles type mount member at a position corresponding to the temple of the mount member, and with said reflecting element disposed at the front of said spectacles type mount member to be held in front of the observer's eye.
- It is acknowledged that spectacles of the kind having a scanning unit mounted on each side arm with reflectors to direct the scan beams to the observer's eyes, have been known. An example of such spectacles is disclosed in
United States Patent US-A-6081304 . Embodiments of the present invention can implement a scanning image display apparatus which can be used comfortably as if the observer wore glasses. - The inner reflecting surface of the optical element is formed into a curved surface. This structure can satisfactorily correct aberrations, such as decentering aberration, which readily occur owing to an optical layout capable of guiding a beam from the side of the head to the eyeball via the reflecting element in front of the eye. Accordingly, a high-quality image can be displayed.
- Preferably, the scanning unit is a device which utilizes an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technique, is manufactured by a semiconductor process, and has a reflecting surface driven by mechanical resonance. The scanning unit itself can be downsized, scanning can be done at a very high speed, and a smaller-size image display apparatus capable of displaying a fine image can be implemented.
- The beam scanning angle of the scanning can be enlarged by the optical system made up of the optical element and the reflecting element, and an image larger than the projection of the scanning solid angle of the scanning unit can be observed.
- In the accompanying drawings:
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of an optical system in an image display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of a scanning element which constitutes the optical system in the first embodiment; -
Fig. 3 is a view showing the optical path of the optical system in the first embodiment; -
Fig. 4 is a view showing a modification of a light source part in the first embodiment; -
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of an optical system in an image display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of a scanning element which constitutes the optical system in the second embodiment; -
Fig. 7 is a view showing the optical path of the optical system in the second embodiment; -
Fig. 8 is a view showing a modification of a light source part in the second embodiment; -
Fig. 9 is a view for explaining a conventional image display optical system; -
Fig. 10 is a view for explaining another conventional image display optical system; -
Fig. 11 is a block diagram for explaining still another conventional image display optical system; and -
Figs. 12A and 12B are views for explaining still another conventional image display optical system. -
Fig. 1 shows the schematic arrangement of an optical system in an image display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 3 is a view showing the optical path of the optical system. - In
Figs. 1 and3 , emission of a light-emittingmember 6 such as an LED or semiconductor laser is controlled by a lightsource control circuit 9. Alight guide unit 7 is made up of acollimator element 7a for (substantially) collimating a beam emitted by the light-emittingmember 6, and alight guide prism 7b for guiding the beam emerging from thecollimator element 7a to a scanning element 1 (to be described later) by inner reflection. The light-emittingmember 6 andlight guide unit 7 constitute a light source part. - In the first embodiment, the scanning element (scanning unit) 1 is a device manufactured by a semiconductor process. This can realize a smaller size than the use of a polygon mirror or the like.
- The
scanning element 1 is connected to ascanning control circuit 8. Aplanar mirror 1a of thescanning element 1 is swung and driven by an electrical signal from thescanning control circuit 8 at a high speed and a large angle by mechanical resonance. - The arrangement and optical operation of the
scanning element 1 will be generally described with reference toFig. 2 . - In the
scanning element 1, a swingably supported movable plate is formed on a semiconductor substrate (not shown), and theplanar mirror 1a is attached to the movable plate. Although not shown, a permanent magnet is attached to the substrate, and a coil, to the movable plate. The movable plate (i.e.,planar mirror 1a) can be swung and driven by the operation of a magnetic field generated by controlling energization to the coil. The movable plate is changed to a mechanically resonant state, and theplanar mirror 1a can be swung and driven at a high speed and a large angle. - The
planar mirror 1a is swingable in two directions about horizontal andvertical scanning axes planar mirror 1a swings about theaxis 12a, the reflected beam of abeam 11 incident on theplanar mirror 1a is deflected intobeams planar mirror 1a swings about theaxis 12b, the reflected beam is deflected in a direction perpendicular to the deflection direction of the reflectedbeams planar mirror 1a. - A display
optical system 2 is comprised of a prism-shapedoptical element 2a and reflectingelement 2b. As shown in detail inFig. 3 , theoptical element 2a has anincident surface 201, anexit surface 206, and four inner reflectingsurfaces 202 to 205. - Some or all of the
optical element 2a,collimator element 7a, andlight guide prism 7b may be constituted as an integral element. It is noted that the optical system exemplified inFig. 3 is constructed such that the inner reflecting surfaces are made up of concave surfaces to integrally constitute thecollimator element 7a and thelight guide prism 7b so as to construct thelight guide unit 7 as a single element. - In
Fig. 3 , a beam reflected by theplanar mirror 1a enters theoptical element 2a via theincident surface 201. - The reflecting
element 2b reflects the beam emerging from theoptical element 2a and guides it to the observer's eye. - Although not shown, all the building components (light-emitting
member 6 to reflectingelement 2b) of the above-described optical system are held by a mount member which can be mounted on the observer's head, like glasses. When the reflectingelement 2b is set in front of an observer'seye 3, the remaining building components (light-emittingmember 6 tooptical element 2a) are disposed as a unit on the side of the observer's head. The reflectingelement 2b is held at a position of the mount member that corresponds to a portion where the lenses of glasses are held, whereas the light-emittingmember 6 tooptical element 2a are held at a position corresponding to the temple of the mount member. - In the optical system of
Fig. 3 having this arrangement, a beam emitted by the light-emittingmember 6 is substantially collimated by the internal reflecting surface of thelight guide unit 7. - The beam emerging from the light guide unit is two-dimensionally scanned by the
scanning element 1, passes through theincident surface 201 of theoptical element 2a, and enters theoptical element 2a. The beam incident on theoptical element 2a is sequentially reflected by theinner reflecting surfaces exit surface 206. - The beam emerging from the
optical element 2a is reflected by the reflectingelement 2b to reach the observer'seye 3. The beam incident on the observer'seye 3 forms an image on aretina 4. - The light
source control circuit 9 andscanning control circuit 8 are connected to an imageformation control circuit 10 for receiving a video signal from an image information supply apparatus (not shown) such as a television, videocassette recorder, DVD player, or computer. The imageformation control circuit 10 controls the lightsource control circuit 9 and scanning control circuit 8 (i.e., emission of the light-emittingmember 6 and energization to the optical scanning element 1) so as to synchronize these circuits in correspondence with a supplied video signal. - The image display apparatus of this embodiment and the above image information supply apparatus constitute an image display system.
- Scanning of a beam (imaging point) on the
retina 4 will be explained with reference toFig. 3 . Assuming that abeam 13a when theplanar mirror 1a of theoptical scanning element 1 is at an initial position (swing angle: 0) forms an image at animaging point 14a on theretina 4,optical paths planar mirror 1a swings from the initial position correspond toimaging points planar mirror 1a in the two-dimensional direction. - Scanning of the imaging point is executed in synchronism with control of the emission intensity of the light-emitting
member 6 that corresponds to a supplied video signal. Accordingly, an image corresponding to the video signal is formed on the observer'sretina 4. - The display optical system made up of the
optical element 2a and reflectingelement 2b increases the beam scanning angle of thescanning element 1. This enables observing an image having a field angle larger than the scanning angle of the scanning element 1 (planar mirror 1a). - As described above, this embodiment employs the
scanning element 1 whose reflecting surface reciprocates by mechanical resonance, and can downsize the scanning means. Further, the overall apparatus can be downsized because the optical path is deflected a plurality of number of times by theplanar mirror 1a of thescanning element 1 and the inner reflecting surfaces of theoptical element 2a. - To display a video signal from a television or videocassette recorder, the horizontal and vertical scanning frequencies are greatly different from each other. In this case, at least a side which requires a higher scanning speed is driven by mechanical resonance.
- In this embodiment, the reflecting
element 2b is tilted from the optical axis of theeye 3 in order to guide a beam traveling from the side of theeye 3 to theeye 3. This readily generates decentering aberration in the reflectingelement 2b. However, aberrations such as decentering aberration can be satisfactorily corrected by shaping any one of the inner reflectingsurfaces 202 to 205 of theoptical element 2a into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces), and shaping the reflecting surface of the reflectingelement 2b into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces). - In this embodiment, the light-emitting
member 6 andscanning element 1 may be provided on a single substrate, and theelements light guide unit 7 and theoptical element 2a may be constituted as an integral optical element unit. In this case, the optical element unit can be so assembled as to cover the substrate. - This embodiment has exemplified one light-emitting member 6 (one color). Alternatively, as shown in
Fig. 4 , light-emittingmembers members color combining element 7c such as a dichroic prism, and guided to thescanning element 1 and displayoptical system 2. In this case, a color image can be obtained. - The arrangement of the
scanning element 1 described in the first embodiment is merely an example, and another arrangement can be adopted as far as theoptical scanning element 1 can be manufactured by a semiconductor process. -
Fig. 5 shows the schematic arrangement of an optical system in an image display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 7 is a view showing the optical path of the optical system. - In
Figs. 5 and7 , emission of a light-emittingmember 6 such as an LED or semiconductor laser is controlled by a lightsource control circuit 9. A light guide unit 7 (substantially) collimating a beam emitted by the light-emittingmember 6, and guides the beam to the first scanning element (to be described later). The light-emittingmember 6 andlight guide unit 7 constitute a light source part. - In the second embodiment, a
scanning unit 21 is a device manufactured by a semiconductor process. This can realize a smaller size than the use of a polygon mirror or the like. - The
scanning unit 21 is made up of a first scanning element having aplanar mirror 21a swingable about the horizontal scanning axis, and a second scanning element having aplanar mirror 21b swingable about the vertical scanning axis. - These scanning elements are connected to a
scanning control circuit 8. The planar mirrors 21a and 21b of the scanning elements are swung and driven by an electrical signal from thescanning control circuit 8. Since theplanar mirror 21a particularly requires high-speed driving, mechanical resonance is used. - The arrangement and optical operation of the first and second optical scanning elements will be generally described with reference to
Fig. 6 . - In the first scanning element, a swingably supported movable plate is formed on a semiconductor substrate (not shown), and the
planar mirror 21a is attached to the movable plate. Although not shown, a permanent magnet is attached to the substrate, and a coil, to the movable plate. The movable plate (i.e.,planar mirror 21a) is swung and driven by the operation of a magnetic field generated by controlling energization to the coil. The movable plate is changed to a mechanically resonant state, and theplanar mirror 21a can be swung and driven at a high speed and a large angle. - The
planar mirror 21a is swingable about ahorizontal scanning axis 22a. When theplanar mirror 21a swings about theaxis 22a, the reflected beam of abeam 11 incident on theplanar mirror 21a is deflected intobeams - The
beams intermediate element 2c interposed between the first and second scanning elements. Thebeams intermediate element 2c, and guided to the second scanning element. - In the second scanning element, similar to the first scanning element, a swingably supported movable plate is formed on a semiconductor substrate (not shown), and the
planar mirror 21b is attached to the movable plate. Although not shown, a permanent magnet is attached to the substrate, and a coil, to the movable plate. The movable plate (i.e.,planar mirror 21b) is swung and driven by the operation of a magnetic field generated by controlling energization to the coil. The movable plate is changed to a mechanically resonant state, and theplanar mirror 21b can be swung and driven at a high speed and a large angle. - The
planar mirror 21b is swingable about avertical scanning axis 22b. When theplanar mirror 21b swings about theaxis 22b, the reflected beam of a beam which enters theplanar mirror 21b from theintermediate element 2c is deflected intobeams 11a', 11b', and 11c' in accordance with the swing angle. - A beam can be two-dimensionally deflected by swing of the
planar mirrors - A display
optical system 2 comprises the prism-shapedintermediate element 2c, a prism-shapedoptical element 2a, and a reflectingelement 2b. As shown in detail inFig. 7 , theintermediate element 2c has an incident surface, exit surface, andinner reflecting surface 207. Theoptical element 2a has anincident surface 208, anexit surface 213, and four inner reflectingsurfaces 209 to 212. - Some or all of the
optical element 2a, the elements of thelight guide unit 7, and theintermediate element 2c may be constituted as an integral element. - In
Fig. 7 , a beam reflected by theplanar mirror 21a enters theoptical element 2a via theincident surface 208. - The reflecting
element 2b has a concave surface facing the observer's eye in order to reflect the beam emerging from theoptical element 2a and guide it to the observer's eye. - Although not shown, all the building components (light-emitting
member 6 to reflectingelement 2b) of the above-described optical system are held by a mount member which can be mounted on the observer's head, like glasses. When the reflectingelement 2b is set in front of an observer'seye 3, the remaining building components (light-emittingmember 6 tooptical element 2a) are disposed as a unit on the side of the observer's head. The reflectingelement 2b is held at a position of the mount member that corresponds to a portion where the lenses of glasses are held, whereas the light-emittingmember 6 tooptical element 2a are held at a position. Corresponding to the temple of the mount member. - In the image display apparatus having this arrangement, a beam emitted by the light-emitting
member 6 is substantially collimated by thelight guide unit 7, and enters theplanar mirror 21a of the first scanning element where the beam is horizontally deflected to reach theintermediate element 2c. - The beam incident on the
intermediate element 2c is reflected by theinner reflecting surface 207, and emerges to the second scanning element. The beam enters theplanar mirror 21b of the second scanning element where the beam is vertically deflected to reach theoptical element 2a via theincident surface 208 of theoptical element 2a. The beam incident on theoptical element 2a is sequentially reflected by theinner reflecting surfaces exit surface 213. - The beam emerging from the
optical element 2a is reflected by the reflectingelement 2b to reach the observer'seye 3. The beam incident on the observer'seye 3 forms an image on theretina 4. - The light
source control circuit 9 andscanning control circuit 8 are connected to an imageformation control circuit 10 for receiving a video signal from an image information supply apparatus (not shown) such as a television, videocassette recorder, DVD player, or computer. The imageformation control circuit 10 controls the lightsource control circuit 9 and scanning control circuit 8 (i.e., emission of the light-emittingmember 6 and energization to the first and second scanning elements) so as to synchronize these circuits in correspondence with a supplied video signal. - The image display apparatus of this embodiment and the above image information supply apparatus constitute an image display system.
- Scanning of a beam (imaging point) on the
retina 4 will be explained with reference toFig. 7 . Assuming that abeam 13a when theplanar mirror 21a of the first scanning element is at an initial position (swing angle: 0) forms an image at animaging point 14a on theretina 4,optical paths planar mirror 21a swings from the initial position correspond toimaging points planar mirror 21a in the two-dimensional direction. - Scanning of the imaging point is executed in synchronism with control of the emission intensity of the light-emitting
member 6 that corresponds to a supplied video signal. Accordingly, an image corresponding to the video signal is formed on the observer'sretina 4. - The display optical system made up of the
optical element 2a and reflectingelement 2b increases the beam scanning angles of the first and second scanning elements. This enables observing an image having a field angle larger than the scanning angles of the first and second scanning elements (planar mirrors - As described above, according to the second embodiment, the first and second scanning elements are scanning unit manufactured by a semiconductor process, so that the scanning unit can be downsized. In particular, to display an image at different horizontal and vertical scanning speeds, like a television or video image, the mirror is effectively vibrated by mechanical resonance to a side which requires higher-speed scanning.
- In addition, the overall apparatus can be downsized because the optical path is deflected a plurality of number of times by the
planar mirrors optical element 2a. - In this embodiment, the reflecting
element 2b is tilted from the optical axis of theeye 3 in order to guide a beam traveling from the side of theeye 3 to theeye 3. This readily generates decentering aberration in the reflectingelement 2b. However, aberrations such as decentering aberration can be satisfactorily corrected by shaping any one of the inner reflectingsurfaces 209 to 212 of theoptical element 2a into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces), and shaping the reflecting surface of the reflectingelement 2b into a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface (a curved surface with no rotational symmetry or a curved surface with a symmetry plane of 1 or less that defines a pair of symmetrical curved surfaces). The reflectingelement 2b has a concave surface facing the observer's eye, but the same effects can also be attained by, e.g., a reflecting hologram exhibiting the same operation. - In this embodiment, the light-emitting
member 6 and the first and second scanning elements may be provided on a single substrate, and the elements of thelight guide unit 7, theoptical element 2a, and theintermediate element 2c may be constituted as an integral optical element unit. In this case, the optical element unit can be so assembled as to cover the substrate. - This embodiment has exemplified one light-emitting member 6 (one color). Alternatively, as shown in
Fig. 8 , light-emittingmembers members color combining element 7c such as a dichroic prism, and guided to the first and second scanning elements and the displayoptical system 2. In this case, a color image can be obtained. - The arrangements of the first and second scanning elements described in the second embodiment are merely an example, and another arrangement can be adopted as far as the first and second scanning elements can be manufactured by a semiconductor process.
- According to the first and second embodiments described above, a beam emitted by the light source unit is scanned by the scanning unit. These embodiments can provide an image display apparatus which can easily increase the scanning speed and is suitable for displaying a fine image.
- The use of the optical element with at least one inner reflecting surface enables deflecting the optical path and easily downsizing the apparatus. Since a beam emitted by the optical element is guided to the eyeball via the reflecting element, the degree of freedom for the layout of the optical system can be increased. For example, the light source unit, scanning unit, and optical element can be arranged on the side of the head with respect to the reflecting element positioned in front of the observer's eye so as to prevent the observer from feeling uncomfortable. The embodiments can implement a scanning image display apparatus which can be used comfortably as if the observer wore glasses.
- The inner reflecting surface of the optical element is formed into a curved surface. This structure can satisfactorily correct aberrations such as decentering aberration which readily occur owing to an optical layout capable of guiding a beam from the side of the head to the eyeball via the reflecting element in front of the eye. Accordingly, a high-quality image can be displayed.
- The scanning unit is a device which is manufactured by a semiconductor process and has a reflecting surface driven by mechanical resonance. The optical scanning unit itself can be downsized, scanning can be done at a very high speed, and a smaller-size image display apparatus capable of displaying a fine image can be implemented.
- If the beam scanning angle of the scanning unit is enlarged by an optical system made up of an optical element and reflecting element, an image display apparatus capable of observing an image larger than the scanning angle of the scanning unit can be implemented.
Claims (9)
- An image display apparatus for displaying an image formed by scanning, comprising:a scanning unit (1:1a; 21:21a, 21b) for scanning a beam by driving a reflecting surface or surfaces for reflecting a beam from a light source (6);an optical element (2a) having an incident surface (201) which the reflected beam from said scanning unit enters, at least one inner reflecting surface (202-205; 209-212) which has a curved surface and reflects the beam coming from the incident surface, and an exit surface (206; 213) from which the beam reflected by the inner reflecting surface emerges and is transmitted;a reflecting element (2b) that is arranged for reflecting the beam transmitted from the exit surface (206; 213) of said optical element (2a) and for guiding the beam to an observer's eye (3); anda spectacles type mount member which can be mounted on an observer's head and having said scanning unit (1:1a; 21:21a, 21b), said optical element (2a), and said reflecting element (2b), disposed thereoncharacterised in that:said scanning unit (1; 21), and said optical element (2a) are disposed as a unit at a side of said spectacles type mount member at a position corresponding to the temple of the mount member, and with said reflecting element disposed at the front of said spectacles type mount member to be held in front of the observer's eye (3).
- An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said scanning unit (1;21) is manufactured by a semiconductor process and said apparatus includes drive means (8,-) operative so that the reflecting surface or surfaces of said scanning unit is/are driven by mechanical resonance.
- An apparatus according to either preceding claim, wherein said scanning unit (1; 21) is operable to drive a single reflecting surface of said scanning unit so as to reflect the beam two-dimensionally.
- An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an optical system comprising said optical element (2a) and said reflecting element (2b) increases the beam scanning angle of said scanning unit (1; 21).
- An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein any one inner reflecting surface (202-205; 209-212) of said optical element (2a) is a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface.
- An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the reflecting surface of said reflecting element (2b) is a rotationally asymmetrical curved surface.
- An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the reflecting surface of said reflecting element (2b) is concave.
- An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including said light source (6), and wherein
said light source (6) has a light-emitting member, and said apparatus also includes a light guide unit (7a) for collimating a beam from the light-emitting member and guiding the beam to a reflecting surface of said scanning unit (1; 21) and
at least part of the light guide unit is integrated with said optical element. - An image display system comprising:an image display apparatus (6-10) defined in any one of claims 1 to 8;andan image information supply apparatus for supplying information about an image to be formed by scanning of a beam by the scanning unit (1; 21) of said image display apparatus.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2000396209A JP4006179B2 (en) | 2000-12-26 | 2000-12-26 | Image display device and image display system |
JP2000396209 | 2000-12-26 |
Publications (3)
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EP1225470A2 EP1225470A2 (en) | 2002-07-24 |
EP1225470A3 EP1225470A3 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
EP1225470B1 true EP1225470B1 (en) | 2009-03-11 |
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EP01310848A Expired - Lifetime EP1225470B1 (en) | 2000-12-26 | 2001-12-21 | Image display apparatus and system |
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US (1) | US6657763B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1225470B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4006179B2 (en) |
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JP4006179B2 (en) | 2007-11-14 |
US6657763B2 (en) | 2003-12-02 |
EP1225470A3 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
EP1225470A2 (en) | 2002-07-24 |
JP2002196277A (en) | 2002-07-12 |
DE60137907D1 (en) | 2009-04-23 |
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